West Bromwich Albion v Arsenal: match preview

Back-to-back wins have relieved some of the pressure on the Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and banished, at least for now, talk of fighting the unthinkable scenario of relegation from the top flight. Albion, meanwhile, are five points from safety and have the worst goal difference in the division so will have no doubts that they are involved in the struggle to avoid demotion to the Championship. Sam Allardyce’s first three games have seen a highly creditable point at Liverpool sandwiched by home humiliations at the hands of Aston Villa and Leeds. If the hosts can take anything from this match it will offer encouragement before the January transfer window opens and Allardyce can indulge in some much needed strengthening of the squad. Rich Flower

Saturday 8pm

League

Venue The Hawthorns

Sky Sports Premier

Last season n/a

Referee Martin Atkinson

This season G12 Y25 R2 2.42 cards/ game

Odds H 5-1 A 4-7 D 3-1

West Bromwich Albion

Subs from Bond, Button, RobsonKanu, Bartley, Phillips, Grosicki, Austin, Harper, Krovinovic, Ivanovic, Edwards, Kipré, Field

Doubtful Bartley

Kanu (wrist) (calf), Robson

Injured Townsend (knee, 9 Jan), Gibbs (thigh, unknown)

Suspended Livermore (second of three)

Discipline Y21 R3

Form LLDLDL

Leading scorers Gallagher, Robinson 2

Arsenal

Subs from Macey, Rúnarsson, Saliba, Papastathopoulos, Ceballos, Özil, Willian, Maitland-Niles, Soares,

Pépé, Mustafi, Chambers, David Luiz, Nelson, Willock, Nketiah, Kolasinac, Martinelli

Doubtful Nelson (knock)

Injured Gabriel (illness, 9

Partey (thigh, 9 Jan)

Suspended None

Discipline Y24 R3

Form LLDLWW

Leading scorer Lacazette 5

Jan),